Strand of vintage Himalayan 'Sherpa Coral' beads. Great for all kinds of crafting and jewelry making purposes.
Since hundreds of years, coral has been considered a very auspicious material by people in Himalayan regions. Its bright red color is associated with blood and lifeforce and believed to bring its owner good health and longevity and attract good fortune.
Real (mostly mediterranean) sea coral came into Himalayan regions as a very high valued trade currency. And, as happens with all such high valued but also very high priced materials, more affordable substitutes are being found and made for those who can't acquire it. As early as the 1700's, people from the Sherpa tribe living at the foothills of the Himalayas turned to trading with glassmakers in far away regions such as China, India and even Italy and Bohemia, to produce an alternative. This glass coral-substitute quickly became valued and famous in its own right, known under the name 'Sherpa Coral'.
This strand consists of a total of 108 beads. The beads have a diameter of 4 millimeters and vary in length between 4-6 millimeters. These beads have a large hole for threading; approximately 3 millimeters.
Total length of the 108 beads measured together is 62 centimeters. Total weight is 22 grams.
Please note; these beads are from vintage origin and, as can be seen on the pictures, show some signs of their age and previous usage.
